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Development of solar
powered camera began
June 2004
This prototype provided data
on solar panel output
and power consumption
Field testing was required
to insure effectiveness
of radio signals from various
bighorn sheep locations
Volunteers Bob Morgan and
John Aziz communicate with
base station to verify signal
strength during field testing
Final design and fabrication
start to take place
Parts are disassembled
and prepared for finish
Camouflaged components
were carefully matched to
surrounding vegetation
To help insure longevity
parts are primered with a
few coats of zinc chromate
Design begins to take
shape for the
environmentally friendly
and low impact base
The base unit had to be
strong enough to support
a 16-18 ft mast yet light
enough to be carried into
remote field locations
Final assembly of the
camouflaged unit was
now complete
Capturing night movement
of bighorn predators required
a camera with infrared
capabilities and an infrared
illuminator
Another week of full testing
took place after final assembly
Completed and tested unit
ready for field placement
After hours of research, design
and fabrication, camera unit
journeys to its first location
Wrightwood volunteers
carefully level camera base
Rocks help stabilize base
Volunteer work party
completes placement of
solar powered wildlife camera
Final alignment of camera
and antenna are completed
Livecam signals have been
going 24x7 since camera
placement on 7-23-04
Bighorn sheep habitat is
located in remote areas of the
San Gabriel Mountains.
This sign is displayed on the
camera base to help people
understand the importance
of the equipment
The low impact camera
blends into the surrounding
Bighorn Sheep habitat
The coyote in this photo had
just charged 4 rams near
the camera in hopes
of finding an injured bighorn.
No such luck for the 2 coyotes
involved in this attempt
Sample Videos
These time lapse AVI
files show Bighorn Sheep
activity near the
LiveCam.
